Preacher, which recently debuted it's second episode on AMC--a channel made famous for its last TV adaptation from the comic book world through Robert Kirkman's Walking Dead--is just the right kind of subversive. The main character, Jesse Custer, played by British actor, Dominic Cooper, who was also in films like Dracula Untold, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Captain America: The First Avenger (later reprising his role as Howard Stark for TV in Agent Carter), is a preacher in small-town-Texas with a dark past...and, a little something extra thanks to a powerful gift from the heavens. Garth Ennis wrote the original comic book series for Vertigo comics, co-created with artist Steve Dillon, which (sadly) printed its last issue in 2000. Ennis had sold the rights to turn Preacher into a film in 1988...but, as fate would have it, the "religiously controversial" themes proved a stubborn obstacle to even visionaries like HBO as recently as 2006--which is so odd, given the popularity of HBO's TrueBlood. HBO is now regretful of their decision, attempting to reclaim their True Blood audience through a new series, Outcast, adapted by Walking Dead's Kirkman.

Irony, it's the one thing humanity can never lose....

Thanks to funny-man, Seth Rogen, and his childhood-friend-turned-writer (and director!), Evan Goldberg, Preacher has been revived. And, like one of the Great Awakening's of the 19th century, people are flocking to the cause. Ennis has rich characters that tip-toe along the absurd in wonderful ways that both tickle and delight, like that creepy uncle you saw twice a year at family gatherings--it was always uncomfortable, but it felt good at the same time.

I've watched all the "extra" material and, of course, have read every issue of Preacher in its original form. With Rogen and Goldberg at the wheel, and the early success of the highly anticipated series, Bob Weinstein must be feeling a little foolish today...kind of like the man who walked away from a beautiful woman willing to have adventurous sex every day of the week and any time of day, cooked gourmet meals with fresh, organic ingredients, kept a clean home, wore clothing that showed off her ass and D-cup tits, had a Brazilianed pussy, was unusually enthusiastic about not only getting on her knees and swallowing his full load, but also, paid for most of their life, AND, wanted to have his baby. Yup, THAT kind of foolish.

Even Rogen and Goldberg have had their share of scares with Preacher...it's taken nearly three years to hit small screens across America from the moment it was first announced in 2013. Essentially, Ennis has suffered nearly 28 years of frustration as his creation, which he already knew had an audience, waited in Hollywood purgatory before finding its Jewish saviors. Hey, Jesus started that trend, y'all--don't be shooting the messenger now. Or, I'll have to sick Tulip on you....

Part of what makes Preacher's television adaptation 100% #PopCultureProfessor™ APPROVED are the oh-so-fun, three-dimensional characters Ennis created, first breathed into life by artist Steve Dillon's talented hands; Glenn Fabry was responsible for Preacher's cover art. It was a wild ride, that comic book. AMC's version promises nothing less. When your first introduction to the main female character, played perfectly by Ruth Negga, is her overpowering two men in a speeding car with a dead driver before taking down a helicopter with a home-made bazooka filled with toys, you know it's gonna be good.

I know Rogen and Goldberg laugh at the way they announce in big white letters across the screen the change in setting, but it's a comic book adaptation. That's how it's supposed to look. The device gives a visual sense of the traditional panels used by comic book artists since the dawn of the industry, which, by no small coincidence, was also spearheaded by Jews, like Hollywood itself. Of course, Garth Ennis is from Northern Ireland. Born in 1970, he's responsible for storylines in comics like Punisher, Hitman, Goddess, Hellblazer, and a plethora of other award-winningly gritty narratives. But not even the self-proclaimed (if not patriarchal) "Comic Book Man" himself, Kevin Smith, was able to help Ennis make his Preacher-dream a reality.

Maybe Rogen and Goldberg will invite me to be a guest writer for an episode of the second season of Preacher...break up that sausage-fest you boys have going on with Sam Catlin of Breaking Bad fame. Fair warning, I've never done any drugs before. Not even pot. And no, I'm not kidding. But it would be an honor to smoke my first joint with you all. Especially if we're talking about Preacher. Or, This Is The End. It's one of my favorite movies of all time, a total romp in pop culture heaven...but I digress.

The good news for people like Bob Weinstein, whose Dimension Films specializes in storylines like Preacher, is that you can always try to woo back the one that got away. You'll have competition now. And, you have to somehow negotiate the negatives you created when you first turned your back. But we Jews don't hold grudges. I even know a Holocaust survivor who drives a Mercedes! Though, I can't say the same for the Irish. I'm half-and-half, you see. My Irish Ma left her abusive, alcoholic husband after his addictions got him kicked out of the military. She never spoke his name again. Not even to divorce him. It was as if he never existed. Ever. Then again, she also insisted there were no pubs in Ireland....

Watch Preacher. Watch every extra feature, too. Watch each episode on Sunday nights on AMC then watch it over and over again OnDemand. This is not a suggestion. Or, a recommendation. It's a command. Like when Jesse tells the pedaphile school bus driver to forget the little girl he's obsessing over. Or, the girl in a coma to wake up. You don't want to miss what is nothing less than an historic pop culture moment.

Though Rotten Tomatoes gives Preacher a healthy 92% rating and IMDB gives it an 8.8/10, I'm turning it up to "11." If you don't get that pop culture reference, you're pathetic and obviously need to invest more of your time and energy into watching television and film. Or at the very least, Netflix. Now THAT is something you can put in your "Breaking Bud" roach clip and smoke it! With or without Wiz Khalifa, who I happened to meet last year in Atlanta while he was on tour with Fallout Boy. And no, I didn't smoke with him. I've been saving myself for the right partner(s). Yup, I'm that kinda girl. We can have a threesome, or foursome if Catlin joins, and you all can pop my marijuana-cherry. All in the name of pop culture research, of course....

Preacher is must-watch television. It gets my stamp of approval...which is not only backed up by a PhD, but also 20 years of teaching college students how to write in, about, and with pop culture, multiple international best-selling books on pop culture translated in nine languages and sold in 57 (!) countries, a Wizard World tour as the first female scholar in the States to work with comic books, expert quotes on pop culture in print newspapers like the LA Times and USA Today, AND, last but never least, an internationally-recognized Trademark. Mine.

You're welcome...though it is I who should be thanking you. And, I do.

#Preacher

#PopCultureProfessor™ Post-script: Happy belated birthday to Dominic Cooper, who just turned 38 last week on June 2nd, under the astrological sign of Gemini. Latin for Twins, Gemini is known for Jekyll-and-Hyde tendencies, which makes Cooper's Custer in Preacher even more delightful. He may be more like his comic book character in "real" life than the British actor would care to admit....

Today is National Superhero Day...I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. While I'm thrilled at the recent surge in popularity for the characters that have kept me company since I was a wee bairn in the early 70's, I find it sad that most fans know superheroes, not through comics, but through television and film.

Shows like Arrow and The Flash on CW, and Netflix's Daredevil, as well as Jessica Jones, the first popular female superhero character television show, are great examples of the oversaturation of screen-versions of superheroes. Of course, Jessica Jones is not your run-of-the-mill superhero. At least part of the popularity of the show is due to how Jessica wears pants, swears like a trucker, drinks whiskey, and fucks whoever she wants. Basically, Jessica Jones is a man. A very pretty man, played by Krysten Ritter, who ironically started her acting career with a Dr. Pepper commercial. But it's 2016 and definitely time for a kick-ass female superhero who doesn't wear a mini-skirt while flying over men's heads. Still, these are TV shows. In film, all the popular supes have already been exhausted. Guardians of the Galaxy and Dr. Strange are now being dug out of the vaults. And true comic book fans, like me, couldn't be happier. Except...I am a little concerned that the original comic books (and their storylines) may be getting lost in the superheroic rush toward both big and small screens alike.

As The #PopCultureProfessorTM, I've had the pleasure of meeting every living icon within the comic book industry, and yes, that includes Stan "The Man" Lee, as well as Neal Adams, Michael Golden, Chris Claremont, Gail Simone, Rob Guillory, Kody Chamberlain, Nate Edmondson, Mark Waid, Matt Kindt, Mike Raicht, Charles P Wilson III, Chrissy Zullo, Mark Texeira, Hope Larson...heck, the list of who I've worked with in "the biz" is super-long. Those are just a few of my favorites. Superheroes are still very much a boys' club, but as you can see, there are at least a few ladies represented. Speaking of ladies in comics, I happen to be one of them.

No, I haven't published a comic book. At least, not yet. Though Kody Chamberlain and I did talk about collaborating on a future project the last time we saw each other. Women aren't just under-represented in "the biz", we're also few and far between in terms of scholars, researchers, and writers on the subject. According to Thomas Wagner, the Emmy-winning writer and producer of PBS's American Master Series on Lucille Ball, I am the first American female scholar in comics. Tom found me in 2009 after a comic book expert at San Diego Comic Con sent him my way. I helped Tom with his script for a documentary called "Paper Heroes," as well as an NEH grant for the project. Then, in 2014, Donna Davies of Ruby Tree Films interviewed me at Austin Comic Con for her internationally-released documentary on fandom, specifically surrounding comics. And hey, Wizard World, the Los Angeles-based company that puts on Comic Cons across America, hired me as their first professional female moderator for not only fun celebs like James Marsters from the Buffyverse and Jason David Frank from Power Rangers, but to host every comic book panel at every Comic Con for half of my three-year tour. I opened every Comic Con during my tenure with my show on 12,000 years of human history on the first superheroes, connecting it to twenty-first century pop culture. Emmy-winning stars like Michael Madsen would get 65 people in his Q&A while my shows filled 500-person rooms on a Thursday afternoon during rush hour. It was crazy. And, so much fun!!!

Women have a much greater presence today in both comic books, superhero television and film, as well as comics-genre writers, authors, scholars, speakers, and illustrators. It's great to see, but if we want to keep seeing it, we have to keep buying those comic books!

One of my best moments on the Wizard World tour was when a mom brought her 13-year old daughter to see me perform; they followed me all weekend, attended each of my twelve shows. After the last one, which I believe was with John Barrowman in Philly, the mom brought her daughter to the stage as I was packing up. She introduced herself, and her daughter. The next thing she said was, "Thank you for existing. Now, Elizabeth knows she can one day do what you do...."

I'll never forget those words. As a feminist scholar and social theorist best known for her books on pop culture, and with chapters on subjects like the women of X-Men and how Edward Cullen of Twilight is nothing but a sparkly stalker, it was the epitome of everything I have literally scratched and clawed my way to create: My niche as the one and only #PopCultureProfessor. That title and trademark are mine. I not only created the brand, I own it. Superheroic humans like Alice Paul and Susan B. Anthony helped inspire me to accomplish everything I have done in the last 30 years. No cape required...and, no Botox either.

Happy #NationalSuperheroDay! And for fuck's sake, go buy some comic books!!! By the way, the 15th anniversary of Free Comic Book Day is coming up May 7th...might be a good time to start your collection if you've only ever seen superheroes on a screen.

First of all, BIG shout-out to my boy touring with the Zummer gang for hooking me up with Backstage VIP tickets! The "Boys of Zummer" tour didn't start in #Hotlanta, but it's where I caught the show, though, I was invited to join the tour and come along for the ride...but more about that later.

Your #PopCultureProfessor got to see the whole lay out backstage, including the line of young, hot women being led to Wiz's dressing room, pounding with the base all night--and I don't just mean music. I hung out in what was dubbed "the garden room" with the straight-edge, vegan drummer, Andy Hurley, and some family, friends, and yes, his P90X trainer and her assistant, also on tour. Those guys like to keep in shape, especially when spending a grueling 13 or more hours on a tour bus every other day.

Andy had just gotten out of the showers; there were only three available backstage at what is known as Lakewood Ampitheatre, just outside of the airport in #ATL. Andy came out, half naked but almost completely covered in ink. He was like a walking canvas. And the nicest, most unassuming guy for someone who just rocked 18,000 people hard for two hours.

Hurley's straight-edge lifestyle means he doesn't drink or do drugs...not even caffeine! And he's not into promiscuous sex either. As Hurley entertained family and friends, Wiz Khalifa's head of security, Breezy, came breezing in. He zeroed in on me right away and made a bee-line to shake my hand and introduce himself.

Breezy grew up with Wiz; the two are very tight. And that's why Breezy had a run in that night with the security folks hired by the ampitheatre. Oops! It was quite a big deal. Luckily, my boy was there to help. The dressing rooms are located off the garden room. People were kind of wandering around. Everywhere. Lakewood has open lawn seating, But it also has covered seating. That's where I was. In the VIP section. I sat in a seat but could have been on the floor if I wanted. Sitting in the seats, though, offers an audience perspective I like to get at these events. I even do it at #ComicCon. Talk to the fans. See what they like. What they don't. And at this concert, everyone was really, really happy. Especially after Wiz invited fans to light up and threw out giant, blow-up blunts for the audience to toss around like beach balls.

Wiz kicked off the show at 7:55pm Eastern on Friday, June 17, 2015. I sat in a row with his family and friends. We were all dancing and singing. But the majority of the mostly white audience, with the exception of those in "the pit" in front of the stage, were barely moving a muscle. But boy, can Wiz rhyme! And when he took his shirt off, revealing what is an amazing body, I almost started speaking in tongues like a revivalist preacher on a hot night after a snake bite. That's him in the picture insert at the start of the concert with the Taylor Gang. They turned it up for #ATL!!! I had a great time with Wiz and the Gang, both on and off stage.

Wiz may be known for smoking pot, but he's actually quite brilliant. And like many creatives, uses drugs to feed that creativity. Because, "...when you feel good, you can move your life in incredible directions." That's what Wiz said. Given his career, I'm not questioning his wisdom! I did ask, however, if he would like to join my future tour, perhaps in a city like Denver, to discuss the legalization of marijuana. And yes, light up with me on stage. I've never done a single drug in my life. Ever. I'm already working on a whole different frequency than most. Drugs have no appeal for people like me. But I do believe that citizens have the right to make their own choices. And Wiz agrees! We'll see if we can work something out for next year. Stay tuned!

My backstage pass did not include the tour buses, but of course, I have these killer boobs, lol, and they tend to help me get in places. Especially when it's Pete Wentz doing the inviting....

The Zummer gang were loading up the trucks and buses because right after the concert, about 1:30am Eastern, they all were driving to Raleigh, North Carolina, the next stop on the tour. I had VIP backstage parking as well. My car was behind the buses. It wasn't a long walk, but my boy hooked me up with a sweet golf cart and even sweeter driver to get me there. As we drove, A blonde Pete Wentz was stepping off of his tour bus. I waved. He smiled. And the rest is history, folks!

There were a number of buses. Most had a total of eleven people on board. My boy's bus carried seven. The buses were what you might expect them to be like. A little tight, but roomier than I thought they would be. Definitely more comfortable than riding in the family mini-van to Wally World. The beds were a pretty decent size, too....

Overall, I had a really great night! Even met a bunch of fan-girls who did a #PopCultureProfessor APPROVED video shout-out to #FallOutBoy--which I posted on Twitter before I left the parking lot. The girls and I belted out almost every song together. I felt the music crash through me and keep my heart beating, even if it's no longer entirely whole.

"Thanks for the Memories," "Let's Be Alone Together," "Uma Thurman," and of course, "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark," were among some of my favorites. I had seen #FoB in concert in #NewYork in 2013. They blew me away. When my boy on tour and I met up at Starbucks in May--though he wanted me to note he prefers Dunkin' Donuts--he invited me to the concert; it was with a kind of "aw shucks" attitude, as if I was far too sophisticated to be a fan or know the music at all. My reaction took him by surprise. In a good way.

Age is just a number, y'all. Good music transcends all boundaries. Probably why I met a nice young policeman while there. My entry was supposed to be at the dressing rooms backstage but a new girl driving the carts took me to the front instead. With the rest of the 18,000 fans pouring in. Whoops! I kind of stood there, not knowing what to do. Mr. Blue-Eyes-In-A-Blue-Uniform saw me, asked me if he could escort me to my seat. He wasn't security; he's a policeman for the City of Atlanta. But that's just how we do things in the Dirty South. Kindly. And with great respect.

If you ever get a chance, go see my Boys of Zummer! They totally ROCK. In more ways than one.

Oh, and you want to hear more about what happened with Pete Wentz??? It's like my grandmother used to say, "We can't always get what we want, now can we???"

Do you know what I miss? Stargate. Richard Dean Anderson aka "MacGyver" not only starred, but was an Executive Producer. That show just rocked. That, and ANY variation of Star Trek:Voyager, Deep Space Nine, Enterprise, or Patrick Stewart, a beloved fellow Comic Con tour alum, as Captain Picard in TNG.

Where has all the good sci-fi gone???

Television today is a dismal collection of over-saturated "reality" tv shows (that are so ridiculously scripted, "reality" is no longer real...), day-time talk shows and late night variety talk shows (ever notice how late-night hosts are all dudes???), shows with supernatural teens (translation: 30-year old actors playing 17-year olds...ugh), or, the new focus on female-centric rom-commy storylines, like Jane the Virgin, where almost every woman who "stars" in each show is still connected to a man in some way, or, even better, down on her luck because she isn't. Le sigh.

Last summer, I was salivating for the highly anticipated seventh and final season of True Blood--many of the cast members I know or have worked with during my recent three-year Comic Con tour. I had also corresponded with both Charlaine Harris and Alan Ball for my book, True Blood and Philosophy. So, it was a real pleasure to see my friends have the time of their lives ending what felt like 21st century Shakespeare on crack. A totally unique and all-consuming experience. Delicious storylines, a beautiful cast, magical realism the way it should be, witty political and cultural commentary, and the cherry on top of this Sunday-night HBO-star? A strong, independent woman at the creamy center of every single episode.

But summer 2015 feels like a television let-down before the season's even gotten started. As Jupiter completes it's historic rotation around the Sun this July/August, scheduled to return again in 2026, it feels as though the rest of the world is waning, too. Dare I say it? Things in the Entertainment world have gotten, well, boring.

My one bright spot was the discovery of Showtime's Penny Dreadful, named for the "Penny Dreadfuls" sold on the streets of Victorian England. The pamphlets, purchased for a penny, featured "dreadful" tales like "Varney the Vampire." In this steam-punk monster mash-up, Victor Frankenstein, Dracula, Dorian Gray, and a host of other Victorian ghouls, all exist in the same time and place, despite the fact that there is nearly 80 years between the publication of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Timothy Dalton (whom I loved in the British parody, Hot Fuzz) plays an Allan Quatermain-type a la Haggard's 1885 novel, King Solomon's Mines, as he leads the main cast of characters, which includes Eva Green, Josh Hartnett, and Broadway's own Spider-Man, Reeve Carney (who I naturally have girl-wood for...at 32, he's right in my wheelhouse). Something about the way Carney pulls off a perfect London accent, or stares intently at Green's character, Vanessa Ives, as if she is the only woman on the planet, or, how he positively nails the unreserved nihilistic joy (and pain) present in Gray, that makes him irresistible as both a man and an iconic legend of human immortality. Eva Green is equal to Carney in her intensity as a psychic medium helping Dalton's character, Sir Malcolm, find the more monstrous vampire common to the second decade of a post-9/11 21st century narrative. Malcolm's beloved daughter was stolen away by the pointy-toothed beast; much of the plot is driven by Malcolm's obsession with hunting down his latest and most complex prey. Josh Hartnett, however, is the surprise amongst them all.

Hartnett plays a Buffalo-Bill-like character named Ethan Chandler. For those who aren't fluent in Hebrew, the word "Ethan," pronounced "eitan," means" fortitude. And Hartnett certainly brings that to the table, and then some. As the #PopCultureProfessor, I've literally seen it all. It is not easy to surprise me. But a few weeks ago, during a weekend in #ATL where I battled mightily against my on-going struggle with depression, I caught up on Season 1 of Penny Dreadful. The intrigue kept me from going into my garage and never coming out again. Because, quite frankly, Hartnett managed to surprise me. Three times. In one season. Yes, folks, it's true. Some men have the stamina of a god. Hartnett, therefore, is a marathoner after my own heart....

So, despite the glaring absence of any good sci-fi on television this summer season, Penny Dreadful will keep my head above the threatening waters, giving me hope and purpose after favorites like Supernatural, featuring my beloved friend and fellow Comic Con alum, Curtis Armstrong as Metatron, go on hiatus until fall. Oh yes, and of course, there is HBO's Game of Thrones, too. But betrayal and slaughter do become rather tedious after a time. Though, one must admit, there are excellent examples of spirited women being oppressed by men in a variety of new and imaginative ways. Unequivocally, the best part of GoT is Peter Dinklage. Period.

Tune in to Penny Dreadful on Sundays at 10pm Eastern on Showtime; if you have nothing better to do, and need a fill-in for the 9pm hour on Sunday nights, check out Game of Thrones on HBO. And always come back to RebeccaHousel.com to see what's new here on the blog. Please #Follow me on Twitter or IG: @DocHousel #PopCultureProfessor

You may also wish to consider #Following the official Twitter accounts of these talents (and friends):

Jason David Frank and I embrace after not seeing each other for a month or so. We've been working together for two years now. And I'm proud to call JDF my friend. He's probably one of the most determined, brilliant men I've ever met, but he's also extremely grounded. His energy is off the charts, too. A natural performer, he can easily improv, rapping one minute and the next, telling a young girl or boy to go for their dreams and never give up. My career as an Entertainer, Host, and Moderator has spanned 16 years. Yes, I know. L-o-n-g time. There have been lots of amazing moments, too. One such moment includes New Orleans Comic Con 2014, where JDF surprised me, and the audience, with a visit from Stan Lee! When the door opened, I started to get up to manage whatever the "problem" was, but when I saw Stan's smiling face, I started shaking. With mic in hand, I announced, "It's Stan Lee, everyone!" And a BIG smile crossed my face as Stan literally jumped on stage, put his hand on Jason's shoulder, and began telling the audience that the power of Marvel was behind Jason David Frank.My most recent adventure was at Chicago Comic Con. Ah, Chicago! One of my favorite cities. The deep dish pizza, Wrigley Field, Hyde Park, Lincoln Park, the shopping, and wonderful friends...so much good in one place! I was even in Chicago for St. Patrick's Day earlier this year. Like I said, it's one of my favorite cities. When I go, I always get a good feeling...and at Chicago Comic Con, the fans were A-MAZING! People were so generous and kind to me; I felt the Comic Con-love ALL weekend and will definitely be back in 2015!Today, I'm performing at #DragonCon2014. My show on #VampireMyth is at 4pm, Hyatt North. Next week, New York! And a week after that, #NashvilleComicCon!!! So stay tuned! There is A LOT happening in 2015. My updates have been sporadic in the last six months, mainly because I recently established a new home-base in #HOTlanta. So now, I'm in three cities: LA, NY, & ATL!!! Wizard World is located in LA, and my NY-house was home for 21 years; I started teaching there in 1994. Today, my family, and many wonderful friends, still live there. It is also the perfect retreat with mountain views, woods, and an award-winning winery within a mile. The house-search and move to Atlanta went smoothly as well. I feel very blessed to be in another peaceful location surrounded by mountains and lush forest, literally in my backyard. The two-person soaking tub is pretty kick-ass, too. I have posted pics and video from my new pad on YouTube. Become a subscriber when you get a chance. Like I said, so much is coming in 2015; I'll update you with videos, blog posts and other news on social media as often as possible. And to that end, let me say:Thank you to EVERYONE for your incredible support in the last two years. If you're a regular reader, you know that my life has had plenty of pitfalls, including health struggles like depression. How can someone be depressed with all these interesting things going on??? Well, depression is not a mood swing. It's bio-chemical and can be a side-effect of other serious health issues. I have to claim victory over the disease every day. And it's not easy. There are medications that can help, but I am unable to take them. Meditation, exercise, acupuncture, staying connected to nature, and a healthy diet all help me cope. But you, my lovely readers, the audiences at Comic Con who are so kind, my Twitter Followers, Facebook fans, beloved student-family, and people like Perry Chen, Chairman of KickStarter, who took the time to fly in to Chicago to hear me give a talk...you are the real medicine. My healers. And not a single moment passes where I'm not entirely #Grateful to each of you. So when I do my show on #VampireMyth today @DragonCon, and connect audiences with over 12,000 years of human history, not a single syllable will be spoken without full knowledge of how your love and support make it possible. And continue to do so.Have a WONDERFUL Labor Day weekend! I hope you spend it with friends and family, in joy. peace and love. And for my True Blood fans out there...my take on the Series Finale is coming! If you're @DragonCon this weekend, try to catch two of my favorites from the show: Kristin Bauer aka "Pam" and Nelsan Ellis aka "Lafayette"! I now leave you in the capable hands of my talented friend, Flo Rida, who definitely gives me a "Good Feeling" every time I hear his voice:

...and again, and again. But travel is necessary in our globalized world. Even when it's not necessary, like on a vacation, the fun can quickly fizzle. So, when I found myself living out of a hotel room, this time around for no less than THREE WEEKS (ugh!), I decided to bite the proverbial bullet. Given that the kick-off to summer travel season is but days away, you may want to do the same.Being on the road 14-26 days a month has given me a *wee* bit of insight on how to travel, and travel well. For instance, your #1 travel accessory is a Delsey hard case internationally-sized carry on with built in computer sleeve (I bought mine at Zappos.com). What's #2? A computer backpack to store your electronics, related cords, and of course, the essential quart-size bag of sprays, lotions and gels for easy airport removal. But when it comes to extended hotel stays, my priority is S. L. E. E. P. And, when the elderly couple in the room next to yours has two lap dogs yipping at 5am, or, their TV mercilessly blares as Joseph Prince rants about how to save your soul by dialing the number at the bottom of the screen, you'll want to have these ESSENTIALS handy. And if they're not handy, go find them...and fast!-800 Thread Count Sheets: Don't laugh. The difference between hotel linens and a set of 800-thread count sheets from the local Target is HUGE. Everything from temperature regulation to breathability matters when it comes to sleep. Especially if you're living out of a suitcase for weeks at a time. Besides, you might get lucky.... ;)-A Portable Keurig: Make everything from tea, to your favorite Starbucks blend, to cocoa (Swiss Miss or Dunkin' Donuts are my picks!) and you'll find that going to sleep after your nightly cup of Earl Grey, hot, a la Captain Picard or the childhood fav, Swiss Miss, will make heading to dreamland that much easier, even if your neighbors are going at it like rabbits. Sigh. -Glade Plug Ins: Oh yeah, I'm going there. Let's be honest, hotel rooms can have *funky* smells. Even the ritzier joints. I always bring a Joe Malone votive ("Red Roses" makes the room smell like 7 of the rarest roses on the planet!), and a Glade Plug In Oil Warmer from the "Customizables" collection. It's actually pretty, and you can use dual scents. My favorite combo is Hawaiian Breeze and Vanilla Passion Fruit. Buy one for the bathroom, one for the main living space, and every time you walk back into your room, you're greeted by a light, pleasant scent instead of that stale hotel room odor (if you're lucky). The candle is great but can only be used when you're in the room; besides, a Joe Malone votive is *cough, cough* $60 (sorry...). The Glad Plug Ins work round-the-clock, whether you're there or not. And did I mention they're cheap??? Try less than $8 for the whole kit-and-caboodle...and that will last more than a month! -Framed Pics of Loved Ones: Sure, we all have a *bajillion* photos on our smartphones, but nothing makes a stark hotel room feel more like home than a few well-placed pics of family and friends. It takes up almost no space and is well-worth the cubic inches in your Delsey. -A Bose Bluetooth Speaker and Noise-Cancelling Earbuds: Expensive? Yes. But well worth every penny, especially if you're a frequent traveler. I have a "Sleep" playlist on my smartphone that I softly run at night to crowd out the hotel/white noise, including noisy guests and the inevitable hotel maid knocking on my door at 8am on a Sunday, despite the "Do Not Disturb" sign. Use the noise-cancelling headphones on the plane, to talk on the phone, at the hotel gym, to work on your laptop...the possibilities are endless. Given the practicality of both products, the high-cost averages out to mere pennies per use. Now that's what I call SAVVY, savvy??? Pirates of the Caribbean humor? No? Well, don't say I didn't try....-Join a Local Gym & Hire a Trainer: For reals? Hells yes. Do it! It's easy to get into a bad routine while on the road, especially for weeks at a time. Most gyms have 1-2 week memberships. A personal trainer can help you maximize the equipment at their gym while encouraging you to stick to your regular wellness routine. Plus, trainers are usually very friendly folks; you can not only work out those triceps, but have fun while you do it. Win-win!-Eat In, Not Out: Find the local whole foods or farmer's market and get things like bananas, apples, oranges, almonds, pumpkin seeds, the highly portable KIND bars, and your favorite bottled water. If you have a mini-fridge in your room, ask the bakery to pre-slice a whole-grain baguette and buy hummus, baby carrots, and maybe splurge on Camembert or Brie for a delicious and healthy mini-meal. You can use the bottled water in your Keurig, too, in case the stuff coming out of the hotel faucet is, well, questionable. -Get Back to Nature: Even when staying in an urban hub like Chicago (see picture insert above; Hyatt Place at Hyde Park, UChicago), you can find plenty of green space. Wherever you may be, track down the local park and make it a point to get out in nature, even if you're just sitting on a park bench watching the birds. If you can find local hiking trails, all the better! Nothing brings down the stress of travel (or life!) better than reconnecting with nature. If there's nature near water where you are, go there. Soak up some sun (while wearing SPF, of course...) and you'll be shining, too!-Smile! No, really. Your best travel essential is your beaming smile. People will be nicer to you, friendlier, more helpful, and unless you travel with an entourage, you may need those people to help you. Like the time I was working in New Orleans and was sick-as-a-dog. I had five hours of back-to-back shows to perform with a high fever, runny nose, sore throat...it was brutal. But the hotel staff was very kind to me. And so was a friendly local who assisted by bringing me fever meds. No matter what, the show must go on, and thanks to my smile, it did. Sure, money talks, too--but, believe it or not, people don't have to help you just because you have the cash to pay for said help. That smile is the one thing on this list of essentials that is totally *free* and very easy to use...so use it! And use it often. Whether you're on the road again for work or play, I hope these hard-learned travel tips help you make the most of yours. After all, no one wants to get stuck in the Hotel California...or worse, Bates Motel! Yikes!!! Travel safe, not scary, and get lots of coveted sleep while you're at it. #HappySummer

Wizard World special guest and friend, James Marsters and I are sitting on stage together in front of 1,500 people in Minneapolis, left. We're on one of two big screens that flanked the stage. James is known for his role as Spike on Joss Whedon's ground-breaking series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off, Angel. He's also had a few other "killer" roles on hit shows like Smallville, Torchwood, Supernatural, and Warehouse 13, just to name a few. That picture was taken a week ago. Today, away from the bright lights, celebrity pals like James, screaming fans, and stage, I sit in my small corner of Upstate New York, alone. Quite a contrast, I know....Life has definitely been an amazing adventure in the last five years. And I'm beyond grateful for the opportunities determination, perseverance and hard work have afforded. But more than that, I'm grateful to the mothers who helped shape my destiny, like my grandmother, Eva. She was my mother in every way. And when she died in 2009, I felt lost. Alone. As if I'd never receive the kind of love she gave me again. She would have loved seeing me in my Alexander McQueen while on stage, performing for crowds like the one that came in for James. "Only my Rebecca," she'd say, smiling that magnetic smile I was fortunate enough to inherit, thanks to the magic of genetics. Though I feel her with me each day, I can't help but yearn to hear her laugh again. Listen for her slippered feet shuffling down the gleaming hallway hardwoods. Feel the incomparable love in one of her seriously good hugs. Yeah...I miss that last one most. What would she say to me today, if we could once again sit at her kitchen table, frozen brownies, poppy seed cookies and blueberry cake thawing on a tray in front of us as her kettle began to rattle on the gas stove for tea? The first thing she'd talk about, besides my "ugly" sneakers, would be my teeth. She was obsessed with teeth. Having a straight, white smile was important to her. Not because she was shallow. Because she knew that a great smile opened doors. Doors that can lead to sitting on stage with talents like James Marsters. Where most people gloss over the importance of appearance in connection to success, my grandmother was unabashedly honest about it. Glad I listened. In more ways than one.Once we got past things like my bad choice of footwear, straight-white teeth, blonde hair, and whether or not I was eating enough, my grandmother would masterfully turn the conversation to more serious matters, like my relationship. *cough, cough* "If anybody can do it, it's my Rebecca...," she'd say, after I spouted every fear, doubt, and impossible path I thought, for some reason, would be a good idea. This somewhat vague statement simply meant: Have patience, and stay the course. Whether about love, an important life decision, or a professional goal, it never mattered. The moment I conceived of any idea, my grandmother believed in me. She never once faltered in that belief. It's what allows me to move forward today with such confidence. Because my grandmother was ALWAYS right. And even though she's not physically here today, her faith in me remains. In December, that faith helped me travel to Europe for the first time to see the WWII grave sight of my grandmother's brother, Nathan. He died a few weeks before the Battle of the Bulge under General Patton. At 22, the almost-graduate from Ball State and first in the family to attend college, joined the Army to help free the oppressed. He was studying engineering and like my grandmother, like me, he was also a polyglot. This came in very handy, given that two of the many languages he spoke included German and Russian. Nathan was the youngest of my grandmother's siblings. His loss never left my grandmother. Afraid to fly, she was unable to visit his grave; this bothered her greatly. She always felt unsettled about it, unsure if her beloved brother was truly at rest. When I went there four months ago, it was for her. A friend accompanied me to the cemetery. He stood by my side as the caretaker performed a small ceremony at the grave to honor my uncle, who died a hero. Not because he died in service. But because he died saving another's life. Like my grandmother saved mine.That's why she's my mother; I'm alive today because of her. Because when my grandmother saved me, it was not to die a slow death. Or take the easy road for the sake of tired feet. No, she saved me to live, and live fully. To be brave. Strong. Like her. To be patient. And stay the course. No matter what. After all, if anybody can do it, I can...thanks to my grandmother.Miss you and love you, Grams! Every. Single. Day.#HappyMothersDay

Hello there! You may be wondering where I've been the last two months (actually, kind of curious about that myself...). The better question may be, where HAVEN'T I been??? That handsome fellow next to me is Dean Cain. Yes, THAT Dean Cain of LOIS & CLARK fame. We were tearing it up at Wizard World New Orleans earlier this month. You'll have to wait for more on my time in the Big Easy though....In the span of a single day, I blew through a whopping SEVEN states. Yup, Stevie Nicks isn't the only gypsy. But my adventures include something bigger than the expanse of the beautiful Smokey Mountains...that "something bigger" is #LOVE.#LOVE is the miracle that turns sociopaths into people. The joy we get from giving and receiving #LOVE is unparalleled. Yet #LOVE is also the cause of our greatest pain. My heart has been broken more times than I can count. At this point, it's more scar tissue than muscle. But I'm ever-hopeful despite the pain...most of the time. If we could judge #LOVE on feelings alone, we'd all be much happier. But #LOVE is more than a feeling (a la BOSTON), it's a commitment. "I love you" is easy to say; backing it up, however, takes MAJOR effort. And if you are the only one putting that effort forward, no matter how you feel, you are likely the only person driving the relationship. Maybe you feel like that's okay, but it isn't. Any person willing to give 100% for #LOVE deserves to be with someone who is not only willing, but more than capable of doing the same.Facing the reality that you are giving more than you receive in #LOVE is really, really, really hard. Especially if your heart has been broken more often than not. Like mine. Probably like yours, too. Welcome to our humanity, right??? Wrong!There's nothing complicated about backing up "I love you" with clear actions that match those feelings. Like Nike, you just do it. And when you do, you at least expect a cup of coffee for your trouble, maybe dinner, a flower, SOMETHING. You don't expect to be left hanging out to dry like yesterday's laundry after a sunny day. But it happens. And when it does, the bouncing ball is in your court. #LOVE is hard to find, When you find it, you don't want to lose it. You'll do anything to keep it. But if you're the only one making real action-oriented efforts to support that #LOVE, it's time to take a step back. Maybe your partner will realize their mistake when you do. Maybe not. No matter what, you've already proven yourself. It's their turn. Even if you feel like being apart from your beloved will kill you, you MUST have self-respect. No one else will give it to you. Being taken for granted is a common problem for those of us who are doers. However, it's not ours. The problem rests on those taking us for granted. Blind, lazy, scared, maybe even outright stupid...whatever the reason, the only agency you have is on your own behalf. You are not Jesus. You cannot make blind men see. The best you can do is take off your own rose-colored glasses. If you like what you see, bully for you! If you don't, open your mouth. Have a conversation. Change may be hard, but it is necessary if both your words and your actions are not taken seriously in a serious situation. And as playful as #LOVE can be, if there isn't mutual respect--in other words an even give-and-take--you will playing through more than your share of pain. I will keep you posted as I continue my journey through life and #LOVE...please do the same! #LoveTheDoers

Hello! There I am, left, sitting in a rather swanky restaurant after opening Ohio Comic Con on Friday, September 20th. And yes, a tequila shot was en route....Ohio Comic Con absolutely ROCKED this year. Not only did my guests include comic book legend Neal Adams, but also Oscar-nominated and award-winning actor, Sean Astin; the mega-talented genius behind SyFy's Ghost Hunters, Grant Wilson; MMA-champ and Power Rangers star, Jason David Frank; Summer Glau and Ron Glass from Firefly, Arrow and the new ABC series, Agents of Shield; Star Wars, X-Men and GI Joe star, the very charming (and totally gorgeous...) Ray Park; and last, but certainly not least, the man who continued to surprise me, Ghostbuster star, Ernie Hudson. Whew! I almost fainted when Hudson took off his black leather jacket, revealing not only hardcore pecks and abs that would make Arnold Schwarzenegger drool, but a pair of guns to match...le sigh. I also had opportunity to meet Attack of the Show's Sara Underwood--and yes, she's even more beautiful in person, hang with The Walking Dead's Michael Rooker and Norm Reedus, as well as the original Hulk, Lou Ferrigno. An unexpected but very happy surprise was meeting the host of a new SyFy show named Molly O'Connolly. This girl is one-to-watch! She lit up the room when she walked in with Grant. Her positive energy was absolutely infectious. I'm talking to Molly soon so stay tuned for more on this rising star!My own show, Vampire Myth & Supernatural Superhero Legend, went off without a hitch...well, except for the ghost. Yes, a ghost was in the room. I later talked to Grant Wilson about this, and he wished he'd had his equipment with him. But when Ernie Hudson entered the same room, all went quiet on that Western Ohio front. Another highlight was Tony Kim's Wonder Women of the 21st Century. I'm apparently one of them. The panel included hot comic book/graphic novel artist, Nen, as well as Victoria from SyFy's Heroes of Cosplay and good friend, Mexican comic book artist, Umberto Ramos. We talked about sex, and more sex...and yes, more sex. It sells, did you know??? I'll have more on Ohio Comic Con with follow ups on Grant Wilson, Ernie Hudson, Ray Park, Summer Glau & Ron Glass, JDF, and of course, the great Sean Astin--who, by the way--is THE MOST GENUINE person you'll ever meet. Until then, stay thirsty my friends....

A devout Christian, C. S. Lewis believed our ultimate reward came after death in the Kingdom of Heaven. Not many people connect Lewis's theological beliefs with his inspiring words. When you do, it's not so inspiring, is it? But even if Lewis was looking upward instead of onward, we here on Earth can move forward without fear. Because even if Lewis intended his words for the soul, the sentiment is just as true for the body. One of my previous students came to visit me in New York last month; Kenn now lives in Boston so it was a real treat. During the visit, I had the rare opportunity of seeing the student become the teacher. The longer some of us walk the Earth, the easier it is to get lost. In recent years, I have overcome more than I can say here. But that doesn't mean my life-GPS is fully functional. Frankly, it just means I'm tough as hell. So when my former student reversed our typical roles, and encouraged me to move forward despite my fears, it reminded me of C. S. Lewis and his famous quote: "Don't focus on the regrets of the past, instead, look at all the AWESOME ahead...." In two weeks, I'll be standing on stage with audiences as large as 1,800 people performing seven shows in three days. I will entertain the crowds, make them laugh, make them cheer, make them clap. I will share the stage with Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated talents; those same talented people will smile at me, hug me, thank me. And I will do it all over again the next month and the next, and the next. And yet, four years ago, I could barely get out of bed.So when Kenn offered me his sage advice, I knew he was telling the truth. Because I've already lived it. My life today has improved 100-fold because I chose not to focus on the past, but instead believe that there was something far, far better in my future. Why? I have no idea, and it's never the relevant question anyway. The better question is, "Why not?" Why not imagine that the road ahead will take us tomorrow to where we can only imagine today??? What are you leaving behind but memories? Change has already happened, even if you haven't caught up to it yet. Kenn reminded me of that very important detail. Evolution doesn't stop. And neither do you. You are constantly evolving, even those who don't like change are still changing. To deny it is to deny yourself forward momentum. When you pretend change isn't happening, you create a misery-vacuum, and everyone connected to your life gets sucked in. To climb out again is extraordinarily difficult. A fresh new hell, but here on Earth. Perhaps C. S. Lewis wasn't so wrong after all? Perhaps we do move toward heaven when we leave the past where it belongs...in the past.

See The #PopCultureProfessor Perform LIVE at Wizard World's OHIO COMIC CON September 20-22, 2013 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and in Nashville, October 18-20th, followed by Austin, November 22-24, 2013! Are YOU #PopCultureProfessor APPROVED??? Lady GaGa is.... ;)

About the Author

Rebecca Housel, Ph.D., known as "The Pop Culture Professor" (TM), is an international best-selling author and editor in nine languages and 100 countries. Rebecca, listed in the Directory of American Poets & Writers for her work in nonfiction, was nominated by Prevention magazine essayist and best-selling author of The ImmortalLife of HenriettaLacks, Rebecca Skloot, to the National Association of Science Writers for her work on cancer. Rebecca has published with best-selling author of The Accidental Buddhist, Dinty Moore's literary nonfiction journal, Brevity, and with commercial publications like Redbook magazine and online journals like In Media Res. Her recent interviews appear in publications such as the LA Times, Esquire, USA TODAY, The Huffington Post, Inside HigherEd, Woman's World magazine, and Marie Claire as well as on FOX news, and NBC. Former President of the New York College English Association, Housel was a professor in both Atlanta and New York, teaching popular culture, film, creative writing, literature, and medical humanities. Dr. Housel currently works on the Editorial Advisory Boards for the Journal of PopularCulture and the Journal ofAmerican Culture; she has also worked as a reviewer for Syracuse University Press and Thomson Wadsworth. A writer of all genres, Housel has written and published both fiction and nonfiction in over ten books and 398 articles, essays, book chapters, book reviews, and encyclopedia entries.